Each year I put a little envelope it's appropriately numbered door--The first year I just wrote the activity out, second year I gave some written clues and had the girls guess, and last year I actually had bags with the "ingredients" and made them guess. Addie said she REALLY likes to guess what the activity will be so this year I'm going with miniature clues. This could end up biting me in the end, but...what's new.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Go get the tree! We've decided to switch to a REAL tree this year--Christmas tree farms are good for the environment, they're planted as a crop (that is a carbon neutral footprint) and can be used as compost if they aren't sprayed with fake snow. So we need to hike up and get one!

Borax Crystal Snowflakes-- Super easy to make, you just need someborax and pipecleaners. They are very pretty and the kids get a chemistry lesson without even knowing they're doing it.

Rock Candy--Along the same lines as the snowflakes, but edible. Easy to make--little ones need grown-up help--and can be given out as gifts to friends.

Personalized Clip board idea from Michaels: Might be a good gift idea for a certain big sister who's now a swim coach hint hint.

Paint Swirl Ornaments--Michaels here. Even the little one can create a super cool ornament.

Birdseed Birdhouse: My own idea (believe it or not) after I saw one for sale in Williams Sonoma for $30. Buy wooden birdhouses at the dollar store, smear with peanut butter or shortening if you have allergies in the household, then decorate with birdseed mix, oatmeal, nuts and dried fruits. They look absolutely adorable, the birds wents "nuts" over them, and they can be re-smeared and studded once they've been cleaned by the birds.

Matchbook Notepads. Very easy to make. We used christmas themed cardstock and scrapbooking embellishments. Project instructions from Design Sponge.

Coffee Cup Christmas Card Holders: this one was a favorite. I bought the mugs at Goodwill for 25cents each. My oldest, Alyssa, embellished the top of the plaster of paris with glue and coffee beans which I thought was super cool. The little ones can do this too if you help them with the wire shaping.

Comfort Pillows: Everyone needs one of these and since it involves only sewing in a straight line (or as close as you can get) it's a fun project for beginning sewers. We used rice, not corn though.

Umbrella Charms: Can also be used for cell phones. Gotta have at least one Shrinky Dink project!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Christmas season is getting nearer and while I think it is still a little soon to be decorating, it is time for me to start gathering ideas and supplies for our Adventactivities.

I've found that my girls likemaking things--a few presents here and there, but also things for them.

Makedoggie biscuits for family pet presents. Very popular last year! Daily Drool has some great recipes.

Decorate a gingerbread house--I must confess that I purchased a kit at the grocery store AND I construct the house with a hot glue gun. Let's be real, they're not gonna eat the gingerbread and hot glue holds better than frosting when you're talking structural gingerbread.

Food Bank shopping day~Each girl gets and envelope with money to spend on food items to give to a local charity.

Make scented sugar scrub for either ourselves or as part of a spa gift. Martha has a customizable recipe and labels here. I'm also eager to try Brown Sugar Scrub from Domino Sugar.

Monday, November 16, 2009

My brain is starting to get a bit crazy with all the Christmas gifts I want to make! Sew, Mama, Sew is featuring handmade gifts each day (even weekends!), Craftzine's blog has some great ideas, Sew4Home has some bright and festive handmade things to make, and then there are all the great ideas I see featured on all the wonderful blogs I have listed on the sidebar.
Here's a couple little happy holiday images for to use. Out thrifting this weekend I found some vintage cards for only 5cents each!

Little Popeye skating?

Double click on either image to copy it. For personal use only--Thanks!

Friday, November 13, 2009

At the same time I've had to drag out my stash of felted wool sweaters for my latest Betz White's Holiday Felt & Stitch Workshop (sorry can't share any pictures--class rules). What to my wondering eyes should appear?

A Mug Cozy!

All this requires is the straight part of a sleeve from a felted wool sweater. 1)Cut to the size of the mug--being sure to leave at least a little space from the cups rim to drink, 2)Cut a slit big enough for the mug handle at the sweater SEAM,

3) Put a nice little blanket stitch around the handle opening and the top and bottom edges (my isn't very neat--I was so excited about this idea at the time that I sped through the steps),

4) Stretch over your mug and fill with a yummy, hot drink that even your cat would love